Rate this book

Channel Blue (2014)

by Jay Martel(Favorite Author)

3.44 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

1781855811 (ISBN13: 9781781855812)

languge

English

genre

Science Fiction

publisher

Head of Zeus

review 1: I just couldn't finish it. It was like watching a popcorn movie filled with cheap romance and unconvincing characters. There are glimpses of sparks and wits that could produce some quick laughs, which is why I gave it 2 stars instead of 1. The concept that the Earth is actually a huge reality show for the entertainment of an alien race is a interesting one, and is supposed to reflect on the entertainment industry. However, in the process of making mockery of the absurdity of reality shows and the likes, the author wrote a rather uninspiring reality show of his own. It at times felt like a screenplay, for many of the incidents in the book would have much better comical effect if shown on the screen, while reading them being like listening to someone describing a funny GIF t... moreo you.
review 2: ★★★★ – 4.5/5 StarsI will try to keep this brief because I could ramble and chat about this wonderful book all day...I was sent this book for review from Goodreads and when I read the synopsis and current reviews, I was elated. I knew that I had to read more humorous science fiction since the Hitchhiker's Guide and others so this quenched my thirst entirely. However, when reading, I knew that it was so so much more than that. There were parts where I was genuinely scared and frightened for our protagonist, Perry Bunt. There were parts where I knew that the genius social commentary had to reach more people because it was insightful and damn near perfect.The 0.5 missing from the rating would be the slightly slow and less well formed plot at the beginning but was entirely rectified once the plot got going and things began to happen and change for the characters. I haven't read something that was quite so amusing but would also make me feel so many different emotions in 375 pages.It has to be said that my favorite part was the subtle but amazing social commentary on just how bizarre and appalling human behavior on Earth is, impacting the faultless and innocent most of all. An example being the crazy amount of crime and nonsensical punishment systems - e.g. the death penalty. The plot is as clever as well, there are so many plot twists, one after the other that kept me reading past the early hours - accompanies by the brilliant humor and supporting characters of misfits and aliens who I loved. Enjoying the relaxed style and wit of the authors voice is what allowed this book to be on par with the Douglas Adams style and humor that it is clearly inspired by. It is quite upbeat and warming upon which the funny, heartwarming and refreshing characters are placed. It's one of those books that are effortless reading and yet are much more than they appear. The synopsis may seem far fetched and, when read, totally ridiculous but somehow Jay Martel can make any storyline seem totally plausible and fascinated me from the start so much that I definitely think people should have more regard for science fiction and that of the comical kind. Thank you so much GoodReads for this wonderful book, it is brilliant and definitely one I will love and think about for a long time. less

Download links for: Channel Blue

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